Pelvic floor: why it matters
and how to keep it healthy

The pelvic floor is talked about more and more — and that's a good thing. But much of what is said about it is oversimplified. The pelvic floor isn't just a group of muscles we need to strengthen. It's a complex system that must work in harmony with breathing, posture and the nervous system.

What does a functional pelvic floor mean?

A functional pelvic floor is neither too weak nor too tense. It can:

• Respond to pressure increases (coughing, laughing, jumping) without urine leakage
• Relax during urination, defecation and sexual intercourse
• Coordinate with the diaphragm and breathing as one unit
• Adapt to different positions and situations automatically, without conscious effort

Intra-abdominal pressure — the key factor

Think of the torso as an inflatable balloon. The diaphragm is on top, the pelvic floor at the bottom, the abdominal muscles on the sides. With every inhale, the diaphragm descends and pressure in the balloon rises slightly — the pelvic floor adapts. On the exhale, everything returns.

The problem arises when pressure is chronically elevated — for example through incorrect breathing, poor posture or inappropriate exercise. The pelvic floor is then constantly overloaded and gradually loses its ability to respond.

Why Kegel exercises aren't enough

Kegel exercises are useful — but only when the pelvic floor is genuinely weakened. For many women the problem is the opposite: the pelvic floor is chronically tense. In that case, further strengthening makes the situation worse.

Moreover, isolated pelvic floor strengthening alone doesn't teach the muscles to respond correctly in real situations — during movement, sport or everyday activities.

The hypopressive method: addressing the root cause

The hypopressive method works with the whole system at once. Through specific breathing patterns and body positions, it reduces intra-abdominal pressure and creates conditions in which the pelvic floor can function naturally — without overloading. The result is:

• Automatic muscle activation (without conscious "squeezing")
• Better coordination with the diaphragm and deep abdominal muscles
• Reduction of incontinence and prolapse symptoms
• Improved postural stability

Research shows approximately one in three women after childbirth experiences incontinence. Hypopressive training is one of the few methods that approaches the problem comprehensively — not just symptomatically.